Man United land a breezy start in Premier League fixture release

The 2014/15 Premier League fixtures are out and there are very differing fortunes for the red and blue half of Manchester.

David Moyes’ permanent successor Louis van Gaal already looks more blessed from the off, as United won’t lock horns with any of last season’s top four until Chelsea visit Old Trafford on October 25.

United dip their toes in at home to Swansea, then go away to Sunderland before being pitted against all three promoted sides in a row, sandwiching the visit of QPR between trips to Burnley and Leicester.

As a result, Ladbrokes offer a special price of 10/1 that the Red Devils take maximum points from their opeing quintet of fixtures.

Having already slipped ahead of Liverpool in the betting to win the title at 11/2, this is a price many punters will snap up now given the genteel start they’ve been handed.

If Moyes took umbrage with Manchester United’s testing start last season, then the Chilean across the city has more than ample reason to curse the fabled fixture computer.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side must run a gauntlet of games against all three of their title rivals from last season within the first five match days.

City, who are priced up as the 7/4 favourites to retain their title, start away at Newcastle before facing runners-up Liverpool at the Etihad. Stoke then visit before a trip to Arsenal and entertaining Chelsea follow in consecutive matches.

Liverpool (13/2), also face a thorny start. The Reds will face Southampton on the opening day – one of only two teams to have defeated them at Anfield last season – then get straight on the road to play City and Tottenham in quick succession.

They’ll also be a foreboding sense of déjà vous on Merseyside as the two teams which scuppered their title dreams at the business end of last season come in the same order, although in reverse; as they travel to Stamford Bridge then ‘welcome’ Crystal Palace in their penultimate fixture.

2/1 second favourites Chelsea and 9/1 shots Arsenal face each other as early as October 4, while the Blues’ rendezvous with Liverpool on November 8th will complete the sweep of games against last season’s Champions League qualifiers.

The Gunners have a mixed bag, but their fans will already be honing in on the first north London at the end of September when Spurs pay a visit to the Emirates.

For a full breakdown of all 380 Premier League fixtures, click here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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